Ospreys star Gavin Henson will not be prosecuted over claims he behaved rowdily on a train, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced on Friday.

The Wales player was due to appear before Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Monday accused of using disorderly behaviour, or threatening abusive or insulting words likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress on December 2 last year.

A spokesman for the CPS said: "After careful consideration of the available information from the British Transport Police and the defence solicitors, Graham Evans & Partners, it has been decided that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

"The case was referred to Chief Crown Prosecutor for South Wales, Chris Woolley, who is in agreement with the decision.

"Proceedings are ongoing against three other defendants relating to the alleged incident, therefore the CPS will make no further comment at this stage."

The allegations against Henson and his three friends were made after they took a First Great Western train from London to Cardiff following a rugby match in which his team, the Ospreys, beat Harlequins.

A number of passengers complained about alleged rowdy behaviour on the train, and the Wales international was one of four men spoken to by British Transport Police officers when the train stopped in Cardiff.

One passenger on the 19.37 service said the men swore at passengers who asked them to be quiet, and showered beer over each other, and on train seats.

A teacher told the Western Mail at the time: "I found them loud and abusive and there were children in there.

"They were playing a card game with forfeits. The most significant was that they had to drink one and a half bottles of beer and if they didn't Gavin Henson clenched his fist and he hit them in the face.

"I saw it happen at least once but the boy was happy for him to do it.

"Another boy said afterwards he was desperate for a pee and did it on the floor.

"A lady started speaking to them and they became abusive.

"Then I felt I had to intervene and they began swearing at me, using the 'f' word, the 'c" word, and they called one lady a 'fat bitch'."

She said the passengers had endured "one and three-quarter hours of hell" and said one woman was sobbing as she got off the train.

An Ospreys spokesman said at the time: "After playing a crucial part in what proved to be a particularly satisfying victory for the Ospreys on Sunday afternoon, Gavin made the return journey from London via train with friends who had attended the match in support of the Ospreys.

"Spirits were high amongst the group given the nature of the victory, and the group apologises for any inconvenience caused to fellow passengers."

Before getting on the train, Henson had scored all the points in his team's 19-8 victory in the EDF Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Henson lives in south Wales with his partner, the singer and television presenter Charlotte Church.

Their first child, a girl called Ruby Megan, was born in September at their home in St Brides Major.

(reopens) Henson said: "I'm delighted that all the charges against me have been dropped.

"Whilst it is always very difficult to read and hear things about yourself that aren't true, I never had any doubt that I would be vindicated. The decision by the CPS to drop all charges ahead of my scheduled court appearance next week has saved everybody a lot of unnecessary inconvenience.

"The Ospreys have a massive week ahead with crucial matches against Gloucester on Saturday and Bourgoin next weekend. I'm looking forward to being able to concentrate solely on what happens on the pitch, and helping the Ospreys to qualify for the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup."

Ospreys managing director Mike Cuddy added: "Having already carried out our own internal investigation, this comes as no surprise at all, as we were in no doubt whatsoever that Gavin would not face any form of action.

"We're satisfied that this is now the end of the matter and we hope that people will now get behind him and the team as they prepare for a crucial week on the pitch."

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